Types of Materials
Here is a list of commonly used materials for 3D printing. There are pros and cons for each type.
| Material | Pros | Cons | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA (Filament) | Easy to print; Low warping; Good detail; Biodegradable material options | Low heat resistance; Low weather resistance; Brittle under stress; Less suitable for functional parts | Printer Hardware: $200 - $1500
Material: $20 - $40 per kg |
| ABS (Filament) | Good impact resistance; Higher temperature tolerance; Durable for functional parts | Challenging to print (needs heated bed and climate controlled enclosure); Strong Fumes; Lower detail | Printer Hardware: $200 - $1500
Material: $25 - $40 per kg |
| Resin (SLA/DLP) | Very high detail and smooth finish; Strong layer adhesion; Excellent for small models and displays | Very brittle; post-processing and curing needed; Resin fumes and handling safety is required; generally higher cost for printer and materials | Printer Hardware: $300 - $2000
Material: $30 - $70 per kg |
| SLM Metal (Powder-bed Fusion) | Produces dense metal parts; multiple material options (titanium, steel, aluminum); excellent for functional parts with complex geometry | Very high equipment and material cost; Long print times; Post-processing needed (heat-treating, finishing); Small build size; Metal powder requires safe handling procedures | Printer Hardware: $50K - $1M+
Material: $50 - $600+ per kg |